Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a microschool?

A microschool is an independent learning institution.

Microschools are the result of rethinking the traditional educational model to better prepare children for the future. They offer students a personalized education and cater to a child’s unique needs and capabilities. Often described as "outsourced homeschooling," they are free from the bureaucracy, standardized tests, and mandatory curriculum that defines today's public school system. Because they are so small, usually between 10-50 students total, children receive far more individualized attention than they would receive in a traditional school.

What is a Hybrid School?

A hybrid school blends the structure and support of a traditional school with the flexibility of homeschooling. At Nature’s Schoolhouse, students attend in-person classes three mornings a week for guided academics, then complete the rest of their learning at home with family.

This model gives students the benefits of a classroom community, teacher support, and academic accountability, while giving families the freedom to supplement, explore interests, and create meaningful learning experiences in the afternoons.

What grades does Nature's Schoolhouse serve?

We currently enroll students in grades K-8.

Are the students grouped together by age?

At Nature's Schoolhouse, we embrace a bit of a "one-room schoolhouse" style, where students from K through 8th grade play and learn together in a dynamic, mixed-age environment. During core academics, we do break students up into smaller cohorts, based on age, where students can focus on age-appropriate activities and lessons in smaller groups. This approach fosters a sense of community, encourages peer learning, and allows for individualized attention within our learning space.

What curriculum do you use?

We use a flexible, parent-selected online curriculum to support personalized learning. Families choose from three trusted platforms:

Power Homeschool
Miacademy
Time4Learning

All three are self-paced, standards-aligned, and accessible anytime, anywhere. We provide Chromebooks or tablets and guide students through their lessons during school hours. Our experienced educators offer support, tutoring, and progress tracking to ensure learners stay on pace.

Families can also supplement learning at home with unit studies, field trips, creative projects, and hands-on enrichment.

Are you affiliated with any religion?

No, we are a secular institution and do not align with any religion. While we are located inside a Methodist Church, our program is designed to be inclusive and respectful of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Do you go on any field trips?

Yes! We organize optional outings throughout the year, such as nature hikes, museum visits, seasonal celebrations, and more. These field trips typically take place in the afternoons or on off days (Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays), allowing families to participate without missing class time.

Because we are a hybrid program, parents are required to accompany their child on field trips. It’s a great way to share in the learning, build community, and make memories together!

Some examples of field trips we've taken in the past are:

Hill Country Community Ministries Food Pantry
Cedar Park Library
Gary Park
Cordovan Art School
Inner Space Caverns
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
The Thinkery Children's Museum

Do parents have to be involved in the day-to-day learning?

Not during school hours! Our program is a drop-off hybrid model, meaning students are guided and supported by experienced educators while they’re with us. We handle the core academics during our structured morning sessions, so parents are not expected to teach or assist during the school day.

At home, parents can choose how much they want to be involved. Some families use afternoons for supplemental learning, field trips, deep dives, or creative projects, while others take a more relaxed approach. You’ll have full access to your child’s curriculum and progress, but how you use that time is completely up to you.

Does my child have to attend every day of the week?

Nope! Families can choose the schedule that works best for them. We offer:

3-day/week hybrid program (Tuesday–Thursday, 9 AM–1 PM): Focused on core academics, community, and outdoor play.
1-day/week Discovery Days (Mondays, 9 AM–3:30 PM): A full-day enrichment program featuring hands-on learning in nature, science, art, and life skills.
Or combine both for a 4-day/week experience!

Our hybrid program runs Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM, and while regular attendance is strongly encouraged for consistency, relationship building, and academic progress, we understand that flexibility is one of the reasons families choose our model.

Because the curriculum is accessible online anytime, students can continue learning from home, on the road, or during travel. Occasional absences are not a problem, and families often appreciate the freedom to plan trips or take breaks as needed.

How do you handle students with special needs?

We strive to support a diverse range of learners within the scope of our program. We partner with Tree of Life ABA to offer in-house ABA services and behavioral tracking aides for students who may need extra support. These services are billed separately, and some costs may be covered by insurance.

That said, due to the structure of our hybrid program, all students must be capable of working independently and respectfully in a small-group setting. Our learning model requires a high degree of autonomy, and we are not equipped to support students with significant cognitive disabilities, severe learning challenges, or emotional/behavioral issues that result in frequent disruptions or outbursts.

How do you verify that the education is meeting certain standards?

We use trusted, standards-aligned online curriculum platforms—Power Homeschool, Miacademy, and Time4Learning—which are designed to meet or exceed national academic benchmarks. These platforms track student progress, provide built-in assessments, and allow us to monitor learning in real time.

Our experienced educators guide students through their coursework, ensure they stay on pace, and offer support or enrichment where needed. Because the curriculum is transparent and parent-accessible, families can see exactly what their child is learning at any time.

We also provide regular feedback to ensure that each learner is growing academically, developing key skills, and staying on track with their educational goals.

Does Nature's Schoolhouse participate in statewide standardized testing?

No. Like homeschooling and private schools, we are not required to participate in standardized testing. We can, however, arrange for your child to take the California Achievement Test (CAT), if you would like.

How do we make sure we have the right documentation if we decide to transition our kids back to a public school after a year or two?

Because we use structured, standards-aligned online curriculum platforms (Power Homeschool, Miacademy, or Time4Learning), your child’s academic records are automatically tracked and stored digitally. These platforms generate detailed progress reports, grades, and completion certificates that can be shared with your local public school if/when you decide to re-enroll.

In addition, our team can provide supplemental documentation such as attendance records and educator notes to support a smooth transition. We recommend families keep a personal portfolio of student work, projects, or progress snapshots as well—just to make the transition even easier.

Our goal is to make sure your child stays on track academically, so they’re ready to move forward with confidence—whether continuing in homeschooling, returning to public school, or pursuing another educational path.

How much does it cost?

Please refer to our Tuition Rates for the most updated information on cost of attendance.